Author: PTI
Publication: The Hindu
Date: January 23, 2009
URL: http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/004200901231081.htm
Neglected for over a century, an ancient Vaishnavite
temple, believed to have been built by the Hoysala dynasty in the 14th century
at a village near here, is finally getting a facelift, fulfilling the dreams
of generations of its residents.
As per inscriptions and records,the temple
at Gopurappatti village, 15 km from here, was renovated by Hoysala King Veeravallalan
III in 1342 and is believed to have provided refuge to Vaishnavites who fled
Srirangam,one of South India's most important temple towns near here, fearing
attacks by invaders in 1323.
But as the temple had not come under the control
of the government or under any Mutt, it became a victim of neglect over the
years and no worship was offered for a century.
Exposed to the vagaries of nature,the temple
had suffered extensive damage and is in a dilapidated condition. Even the
idol of the presiding deity, similar to that in the famous Lord Renganathar
temple in Srirangam, was found broken into pieces. Its four "gopurams"
(towers) and the perimetre wall have caved in. According to the villagers,
several attempts to renovate the temple over the years failed to bear fruit.
Finally, in April last the residents formed
a renovation committee and set out on the task of restoring the temple to
its past glory at an estimated cost of Rs one crore, to be collected through
donations from devotees.
As a first step, the refurbished 4.5 tonne
granite idol of the presiding deity, Lord Aathi Nayaga Perumal, sculpted at
Okkarai village near here, was installed at the sanctum sanctorum on Wednesday.